Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 601 · 40 questions

Writing tip (One clause leans on the other): Find the clause that starts with because, although, if, when, since, who, which or that — the subordinate clause (When the rain stopped). On its own it is not a complete sentence. The rest is the main clause (we went out to play): it makes complete sense alone. Choose the joining word by meaning: because → a reason, although → a surprise, if → a condition, when → a time, since → from a time until now, who → a person, which → a thing, that → what someone says, thinks or knows. Sort any sentence: one clause → simple; two main clauses → compound; a main clause + a subordinate clause → complex.

1. 1.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) We ate the cake
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) is about birds (c) The book is about birds
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) If you heat ice, it melts. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) have a friend
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) We ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) get orange
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) will catch the bus (c) You will catch the bus
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although

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